Festival fireworks without the fright

What might be a delightful display of fireworks for children and adults can easily become a chilling experience for pets.

Festivals and celebrations such as Diwali (10 to 11 November), Christmas and New Year are approaching are around the corner and often inspire residents to ignite fireworks, legally on approved sites or illegally in backyards, often leaving pets getting lost, barking uncontrollably or injuring themselves trying to get away.

This is because animals are able to distinguish a far wider range of frequencies than their human counterparts. The sound of firecrackers is reported to be at least five times louder to their ears than to people’s. With such displays, unlike during thunderstorms, these noises are closer to the ground, vibrant and accompanied by sudden bangs, flashes and burn smells. Pets often have adverse reactions to the noise because it triggers their nervous system. Fleeing from the sound is a survival instinct, animal experts say, and trying to seek shelter can leave beloved pets escaping the property or getting involved in a fatal crash on the roadway.

Stefanie Bosman, owner of Cosmic Pets in Constantia Kloof, offered the following tips in keeping your pet safe and secure, preparing them for the season and familiarising them with similar noises:

• Stay home with your furry friends if you suspect fireworks will be used. Owners should keep their pets inside, secure and supervised – and your presence will have a calming effect.

• Attempt to mask noise by closing windows, drawing curtains and playing calrming music at a reasonable volume to provide noise distraction.

• Put familiar and comforting things around them such as their favourite toys, dog beds, baskets or a juicy, chewy bone.

• Don’t fuss over them during fireworks; rather stay composed and talk calmly.

• Don’t punish your pets when they’re scared.

• A quiet place, like a travel kennel or carrier, may provide your pet with a sense of security and comfort.

• Play with your animals before the fireworks start, expending their excess energy.

• Keep the furry family members awa from windows, as frigthened dogs tend to hurt themselves jumping through glass.

• Feed them a nutritious meal around nighfall they’ll more likel feel sleepier sooner.

• If you must be outside with your dog, keept the pet on a leash or in a carrier at all times.

• Practice fire safety; keep your pet away from matches, open fire and fireworks, especially lit ones. Dogs may try to sniff, eat or fetch thrown fireworks and pet hair can easily catch fire.

• Make sure your pet have time and space to relieve themselves, you don’t want an ‘accident’ because they couldn’t use the garden.

• Make sure your dog’s identification collars, tags and microchips are updated so that local authorities and Good Samaritans can effectively search for your beloved pet, should it get lost.

• Consult your vet on calming supplements, sedatives or tranquilisers if your pet is known to become stressed.

• Invest in pheromone diffusers or collars, which release calming chemicals.

• Rescue Remedy, a homeopathic solution, has a calming effect on pets and comes highly recommended for both pysical and emotional shock.

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